temerity
tuh-MAIR-ih-teenounMeaning reckless boldness; nerve
Memory hook TEAM-erity: the rookie tells the TEAM captain. On her first day, the smallest player on the team tells the giant captain, “You’re doing it wrong!” Everyone gasps at her temerity.
The rookie had the temerity to correct the famous coach in front of the whole team.
In context Few people dared to argue with the stern old judge, so the courtroom gasped when a young clerk had the temerity to point out his mistake.
Similar nerve, gall, audacity, cheek
Opposite timidity, caution, shyness
From Latin temeritas, “rashness,” from temere (blindly, rashly).